Brewers pitchers far ahead of the hitters

The Brewers expect to have strong pitching in 2012, and there was no reason to expect otherwise as spring training drew to a close.

Other than right-hander Shaun Marcum, who was playing catch-up after an early bout with shoulder inflammation, the veteran rotation was rounding into form nicely.

And Marcum said he expected to recover in time to make his first start.

The bullpen, anchored by Francisco Rodriguez and John Axford, also was coming together in good shape.

Right-hander Jose Veras, an imposing 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, showed enough in exhibition games for manager Ron Roenicke to peg him for seventh-inning duty, and 6-8 Kameron Loe provides another option for that role.

The question remained: how potent would the offense be, with former cleanup hitter Prince Fielder no longer on hand to intimidate pitchers. Left fielder Ryan Braun, the reigning NL MVP, was having a tough camp after a tumultuous winter in which a positive drug test and successful appeal played out publicly.

Veteran third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who inherits Fielder's cleanup spot, was slow to find his stroke at the plate during exhibition season. Should Ramirez get off to a slow start when the bell rings, No. 3 hitter Braun might see considerably fewer strikes than past years.

The biggest question mark comes at first base, where prospect Mat Gamel replaces Fielder. A former third baseman, Gamel appeared defensively sound at first and showed enough pop to give Roenicke hope that enough production will come from that spot in the lineup.

Right fielder Corey Hart was set back early in camp by arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, but was making remarkable progress. Hart vowed to be ready to play by Opening Day and appeared on target to do so, which would relegate Japanese newcomer Norichika Aoki to backup status.

The infield defense, which plagued the Brewers throughout the 2011 season and was particularly damaging in the NLCS loss to St. Louis, looked much improved in spring camp.

A big plus was the addition of veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez, a slick fielder who also has some pop in his bat.

With a pitching staff that figures to keep the Brewers in contention, it will be up to the offense to score enough runs.

Braun will face taunts and pressure all season, which will test even a player of his caliber. But the Brewers' success could rest on the offensive contributions of Ramirez and Gamel, a proven run-producer and an unproven player at the top level, respectively.

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MLB Team Report - Milwaukee Brewers - NOTES, QUOTES

--RF Corey Hart is playing in minor league games as he recovers from minor knee surgery earlier in camp. Hart has progressed well, and the Brewers planned to make a decision by the end of the day April 1 as to whether he would open the season on the active roster.

--RHP Brandon Kintzler was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to elbow inflammation and was sent to minor league camp to continue his rehab program. Kintzler had a screw inserted in his forearm near the elbow last July to address a stress fracture.

--INF Zelous Wheeler, slated to play at Class AAA Nashville, was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles, the second player the Brewers lost via that method this spring. RHP Frankie De La Cruz was claimed by the Cubs.

--INF Cesar Izturis was informed he made the 25-man roster as a non-roster invitee to camp. Izturis will be the backup to SS Alex Gonzalez. He also can play third base and second.

--RHP Shaun Marcum, set back early in camp by shoulder inflammation, appears to be on schedule to open as the No. 4 starter in the rotation. Marcum pitched five shutout innings in a Class AAA game March 30, allowing one hit and striking out seven. Marcum will pitch in the final exhibition game of spring training April 4 against Arizona.

BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Games lost by the Brewers in the second half of the 2011 season when they led after seven innings.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We need to put him in a bubble in spring training." -- OF Nyjer Morgan, referring to OF Corey Hart, who has had knee surgery this spring as well as eight stitches in his head after being conked by a metal bar in the weight room.

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MLB Team Report - Milwaukee Brewers - ROSTER REPORT

INF Zelous Wheeler was claimed off waivers by Baltimore, and RHP Amaury Rivas was sent outright to Class AAA Nashville, leaving the Brewers with 36 players on their 40-man roster. However, RHP Mark Rogers, on the restricted list while he serves the final seven games of a 25-game suspension for testing positive for a banned stimulant last season, will be returned to the 40-man roster after a week with Nashville. INF Cesar Izturis, a non-roster invitee to camp, also was told he would make the club, which fills another roster spot.